As Lisa drove the winding driveway and through the Heartland sign, she took a deep breath and tried to look around and take in the scenery. The drive never got old, but even after making this drive for almost two years now, she sometimes couldn't believe she'd married into this-Heartland. It was just a beautiful piece of land, 600-acres of it, and yes, it was even sometimes strange to think that by marriage, it was hers now too, and someday, it would belong to her kids-KIDS, plural. It had been a very long day, an unexpected day that had taken her completely by surprise. Truly, she had no idea she was pregnant again, and even as she'd tried to think through things over lunch, she was dumbfounded. Lisa was certainly glad her only lunch date was Nora who didn't notice or mind that Lisa's mind was elsewhere. She just couldn't believe it, not even after staring at the ultrasound picture there at her table. Lunch had been a simple affair, a local café she'd been to before where she got soup and salad. Even eating that, she was shocked it tasted good. All food had tasted fine, good, whatever, but nothing had upset her stomach like everything had with Nora.
No two pregnancies were alike.
Wow. Pregnant. Again. A month after delivery. That was embarrassing, good grief. There was no hiding her love for her husband or desire to be with him after having a baby, not with a pregnancy a month after. Goodness. Lisa had spent all afternoon trying to decide how to tell Jack. She still didn't know, and as she'd thought about it the entire afternoon, she wasn't sure exactly all she'd bought at the baby store, nor how she'd driven home. Her mind had been completely elsewhere, which was a bit concerning to her credit card and her driving skills.
With the house in sight, Lisa shook her head and glanced in her rearview mirror where she got a glimpse of Nora sleeping still, those baby mirrors perfect for setting up a mirroring system. Gosh what a good baby she was, and it was scary, shocking, and yet maybe thrilling to think of another. She would have two infants back there, two. Plural, taking up most of her car with their seats, their gear, and their stroller-oh, a stroller. She'd have to get one of those ridiculous double ones, ones that seemed to be for twins or an older toddler and an infant, but not the laugh hers would be with two babies under one. Lisa was pretty sure once the shock wore off and they came up with a game plan for two babies under a year old, she would be thrilled, but right now, she was still shocked and had to tell Jack.
Of course, telling Jack also meant telling Marion, but she had decided that absolutely would not happen at the same time. Her husband deserved to know first, to take in the shock himself because truthfully, Lisa wasn't sure what his reaction would be. Unlike the last time, she was not worried about the state of their marriage, but she wasn't sure he'd be thrilled with this either considering his age, that they had a baby, and they both had big jobs that couldn't just be passed off to someone else. Plus, once he'd conceded to the idea of a vasectomy, he'd told her that he was glad they were getting into a routine, that Lisa would be able to get back to work, and that he, while he loved Nora, was exhausted all the time thanks to his age. Yes, she wasn't sure how he'd take this bombshell.
Lisa parked and took another deep breath. Her heart was racing, which wasn't good, but she was incredibly nervous and wasn't sure if she should come up with some plan to tell Jack or to just rip off the band-aid so to speak. She looked down and saw her hand was already settled on that baby weight she couldn't lose, that now in reality, really was a baby. Goodness, life was so unpredictable at times. She gathered her things there scattered in the passenger seat, which was so unlike her; Lisa was usually very organized, but she shoved her things into her purse to include the ultrasound picture. She'd have to figure out a way to tell Jack and soon. He'd mentioned another trail ride in the coming days, and with the weather improving, she could see many nights on the porch-with a glass of wine, and well, that wouldn't be possible this summer again. Riding wouldn't be possible this summer again. There was always next summer, right?
"Hey, Lise," she heard after she'd stepped out of the car and had turned to grab her purse from the front seat. Jack was walking toward her from the barn, looking like he'd just come from the field, taking off his work gloves and waving at her as he walked. She tilted her head in a warm smile at him, her heart maybe racing even just a little bit more at the sight of him. Gosh, she loved him so much. He did take her breath away, which she knew would seem crazy to most. Here he was-an old, rugged cowboy, often limping from arthritis and old age, often looking pretty rugged with his scruffy face, worn clothing, and leathered face from years and years outside on the range. She didn't want or need the perfectly groomed, young, buff hunk-although her doctor fit that bill and was fun to look at, but she did need Jack. He was her everything, and she couldn't even describe how much she just adored him. Most would say two pregnancies in a year were pretty good proof of that love.
"Hi," she called to him, even having to put her hand up to shield the sun from her face. She had on her sunglasses too, but the late afternoon sun was almost blinding. "Just get back for the day?" Lisa closed her car door and threw her bag onto her shoulder as she waited for Jack to reach her. She put her sunglasses on her head to see his face as he grew closer.
"I did," he said with a single nod, walking at a quicker pace, she noted, to reach her. He smiled, "Missed you two today. Hope it was a good day and Nora was good for you." As Jack finished saying that, he reached Lisa and the two embraced in a soft kiss. She nodded at him.
"Nora was so sweet, no problems, and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and for her to just start screaming all the time," she chuckled, gesturing to the car where Nora was asleep in her car seat behind Lisa's driver's seat. She hadn't opened the door yet to get her out. Jack's eyes followed her wave, and he smiled at the sleeping baby but turned his attention back to Lisa.
"So, good day of shopping?"
Lisa nodded, offering a soft smile.
"Appointment go well?" Jack asked, his hand on the door to open it and collect Nora. Lisa nodded again, glancing up at him.
"Yeah, fine," she said nodding still. "Ahh, Nora was good. My blood pressure was good." Lisa gestured to the trunk area first, before getting Nora. She walked next to Jack to get her things out. "Ahh," she eyed him and found Jack listening intently. "The doctor did give me some insight on my weight-"
"Lise," Jack put his arm on hers there at the back of the car and frowned. "Look, I'm willing to help you however I can to drop some of that weight. I know it's bothering you-"
She nodded too, pursing her lips and then looking up at him, "Thank you. I appreciate that, and yes, she turned and waved her hand in the air, "I would like your help with my weight issue."
"Of course," he nodded. "Whatever I can do."
Lisa nodded, not with any plan, but with things here now, just took a deep breath as she opened her trunk and eyed Jack there as she did, gesturing to the trunk area, "I, ahh, am pregnant," she blurted out to Jack and waved at the huge box she'd purchased, an identical infant car seat to what Nora had. Lisa made a face at Jack as she turned back to him for his reaction, her heart racing again waiting for it.
"Wait, what?" Jack eyed her, and she pursed her lips and nodded. Jack's reaction did surprise her, and before she could even register anything, he had a huge smile on his face and had pulled her into a tight embrace and spun her around. Jack put her down back in the same spot, apologizing.
"Lise, I'm sorry. That was probably not a good thing to do, spinning you around. Seriously, you're pregnant? I mean," he waved at the car seat, "yeah, you wouldn't have bought the same thing otherwise."
"I am pregnant," she stated with a single nod of her head, grimacing as she looked up at him. "Wait, you're happy?"
Jack gestured for her to sit on the open tailgate, and she did, Jack standing right in front of her, their knees touching. He put his hands on her shoulders and his smile only seemed to grow. "Are you kidding? Talk about something I never thought I'd want again, and now that we have Nora, I realize just how much I love being a dad, love having a baby around. I'm so happy. Wait-" he eyed her, his arms still on her shoulders, "are you okay? Oh," he groaned, dropping his head as he shook it. He eyed her, making a face as he started to chuckle, "No kidding-the fishing cabin strikes again?"
Lisa, let out a laugh, one that seemed to release her nervous energy, the tension she'd been feeling. Jack was okay. He was actually thrilled, and she continued to laugh but then shook her head, her eyes sparkling.
"No, I mean, yes, I'm okay. I can't believe it. I've been in a trance all afternoon. The doctor said everything looks good, normal, no problems, no miscarriage, no pain. As to your comment about the fishing cabin," she dropped her head and shook it, taking his hand in hers before she looked up at him. "No, this is where I feel utterly stupid."
"I don't think I understand," Jack shook his head, squeezing her hand. Lisa pulled their joined hands to her stomach and rolled her eyes at him.
"This isn't extra weight, I mean, it is, it was. This is the baby. The fishing cabin didn't strike," she sighed, rolling her eyes and giving a nod of her head. "Our anniversary on the couch did."
"Our anniversary?" Jack's eyes widened, and he started to fumble his words, his hand still in hers on her stomach. "Lise, that was in January! There?" Jack waved to the house. "We barely touched each other before Nora woke up."
She nodded, patting their hands on her stomach, "Yes, this is me, four months pregnant, and I had absolutely no idea. Surprise. We made a baby the second we tried, well," she shook her head, "didn't even try, but you're right-felt like it was just a second because she did wake up crying, and that ended our night, but it started a life. Basically, the second we got even near each other, it happened again. You're quite the stud, Cowboy, at least that's what I'd tell one of my horses, and apparently, my body has kicked itself into high baby-making gear in my 40's when most women are horrified of that idea."
Jack's shocked expression at learning she was four months pregnant turned into a broad smile, and he chuckled quietly, pulling her toward him, which was a bit awkward with Lisa sitting on her tailgate and Jack standing there in front of her. He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly, his kiss intensifying, Lisa gripping his wrists as she smiled into it and pulled herself even closer to him, pulled Jack toward her. Their kiss got carried away, Jack's hands moving from her face and landing right on her stomach, cupping it, and she broke apart and smiled up at him. Her hormones seemed to kick things into gear, and she looked around, realizing that if they were basically almost on top of each other at the back of her car out here in public, well, she couldn't help but think about dragging him off to the bedroom.
"You're really okay with this?" Lisa asked him, Jack standing up and regaining his composure. He wiped his beard with his hand and looked to Lisa. She had tears in her eyes, some of relief, some of disbelief, and some, well, just hormones.
"I am thrilled. I never would have suggested or even really considered this idea or discussion with you because well, our ages and all, and yeah, I know it was a miracle we had Nora. Honestly," he chuckled, "it's kind of amazing and a relief to hear you are four months along. Lise," he said, taking her hand in his, "you're well beyond the normal miscarriage state, and you didn't. You didn't have to worry. You didn't even know, and I have to say, that's kind of amazing. I can't believe we are going to have two babies, less than a year apart. Never saw my life like this, but yeah, I'm over the moon and just want to make sure you are okay because I can't lose you. Nothing is worth your health or safety."
"I'm good," she said, tearfully, wiping at her face. With Jack saying that, she started to cry, just utterly happy and impressed with his reaction. Jack pulled her toward him, tugging her up, and she stood where Jack pulled her into an embrace. He kissed her head and spoke softly to her.
"A baby."
"Yeah, the ultrasound confirmed it. I can't believe this. 16 weeks already. Heard the heartbeat. I'm due just after my birthday, end of September, but I got to thinking about that on the drive home. If this one is early like Nora, that could be mid to late August. I'm not going to make the same mistake. I'm going to be ready, and gosh," she laughed, smacking his chest, "I could have on the birth certificates two babies at the age of 42-talk about old-"
"We're only a year older than last time, or you, maybe the same age," he kissed her head. "I'm in as long as it's not a risk to you. You really didn't suspect anything?"
"No," she shook her head there still clutching him with her head to his chest. "Nothing is the same. Food has been fine. Sure, I'm tired, but we have an infant. I mean, we have a four-month-old, and I'm four months pregnant. Do you know how mortifying it was to hear the doctor tell me that?" Lisa looked up and laughed before she groaned. "Here, I'm thinking a quick checkup, lunch, shopping, and he starts poking around, and that has me in some pain. He wheels in the ultrasound machine, and I start to panic thinking I have cysts or worse. Then, he just looks at me, that stupid machine on my stomach and says, "I guess you didn't realize you are pregnant?"' At that, Jack groaned, closed his eyes and then kissed her head.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there."
"I'm sorry too. I keep getting this information without you-"
"Next time," he winked, and she smacked his chest and pointed at him.
"No next time," she eyed him. "The doctor did say you need that vasectomy immediately because I'm not about to leave the hospital with a new baby and already be pregnant," she burst out laughing. That had Jack laughing too.
"Seems perfect you stud horses and married yourself a stud," Jack winked at her, and Lisa groaned. The two stood there, holding each other, and finally, Jack pulled his head back to look at her.
"Are you okay with this?"
"I'm in disbelief," Lisa nodded and then started to cry. "I don't know why I'm crying. I always wanted to be a mom, and I am now. You gave me that, now twice," she gestured to herself. "Why do I keep crying?"
"Hey guys!" The two froze in place, looking at each other, and Jack stepped back and closed the tailgate on Lisa's SUV while Lisa turned away briefly to wipe at her eyes. "Just get home, Lisa?" Lisa nodded and wiped her eye again before she turned toward Marion. Jack had closed the tailgate, hiding the second car seat, and he stepped over toward Lisa. Lisa looked at Marion, but she knew her tear-stained and puffy face was evident.
"Lisa, everything okay?" Marion asked, as she now walked up to them. Jack nodded, gesturing toward the backseat where Nora was.
"Fine, just you know, Fairfield issues," Jack jumped in, looking to Lisa and then back to Marion. Lisa nodded, sighing slightly.
"If there's anything I can do to help-" Marion gestured at them.
"Actually," Jack pursed his lips and waved Marion toward the car door. "Are you going in for the day?"
"Yeah, I'm thirsty and am ready to take a load off. Why?"
"Can you watch your sister? She and Lise just got back. Lise?" Jack eyed her. "Why don't we head to Fairfield and take care of things. Nora's been fed, right?"
"I'm happy to watch her," Marion eyed them. "We had planned leftovers for dinner, so no big issues there. Are you sure I can't do more?"
Lisa, unsure of Jack's plan but wanting a few minutes of privacy to talk to him more, nodded and offered a small smile to Marion.
"Yes, thank you for your help, but Jack and I will just run out and be back soon. Nora is good, but she has another bottle ready in that cooler bag for when she wakes up." Jack was already opening the car door and pulling her out, the three growing silent as he did. Nora moved in her seat slightly, looking like she was dreaming, and that had all three smiling at her. Marion took the car seat from Jack and waved at them.
"Sure, go, we'll be fine here for a bit. Let me know if you need my help," and with that, Jack squeezed Marion's arm, and he waved to the car. He got into the driver's seat, and Lisa, after giving Marion a small smile, waved, and she got into the car. The couple started up the driveway in silence, and before Jack turned out onto the main road, he put the car in park and turned to face Lisa.
"I thought we could use a few minutes," he told her with a wink. Her smile widened, and she nodded.
"Umm, that's the first I've just left Nora without really planning to."
"And?" Jack winked again. "I think you survived, but yeah, forgetting about the first baby for the second."
"I did," she groaned and smacked Jack who winked at her. Lisa looked down and realized she was rubbing her thumb over her stomach, "I suppose I still have one baby with me."
"That you do," he said, putting his hand over hers. When she looked at Jack, he leaned over the console to kiss her. "We're going to do this again," he nodded at her, and she groaned, dropping her head.
"I still am in shock. I can't believe I didn't know I was pregnant, that this," she put her hand with Jack's hand on her stomach, "is a baby. It's rock hard. How did I not know? You didn't think it was odd?"
Jack shrugged, "What do I know? I didn't know you could get pregnant that fast. I mean, joke is on us, dealing with horses, cows, breeding animals, and we can't figure it out for ourselves, or another perspective," he winked, "we're really good at it."
Lisa broke out into a laugh and sighed, shaking her head, "This is so crazy."
"That it is. I won't disagree. Marion," he hooked his hand over his shoulder toward the house, "won't let us live this down."
"I'm very aware, and I'm glad we didn't tell her yet. I really need a minute or two, or," she grimaced, "a few months."
"Pretty sure she'll figure it out in a few months," Jack winked. "I mean, if you're four months now, that basketball has to show up pretty soon, if we're talking about how you looked last time."
"I will have been pregnant for two summers. Christmas-remember how we brought Nora home, and," she laughed, "I said we'd never top that for Christmas? This year, two babies! Oh," she smacked at his arm, "I'm ordering a duplicate of all the crib furniture. That beautiful office space you made for me," she eyed Jack and frowned. He nodded.
"The baby's room, yup, it is. Wow, didn't see that coming."
"Neither did I, but," she bit her lip and smiled at Jack. "The kids, gosh," she shook her head, "kids, Jack. I'm going to be a mom to two kids! They will be close in age, and they will have each other."
Jack smiled, picking up her hand to kiss it, "You know, I always wanted that with Marion. She never had that, and I respected that Lyndy didn't want more kids, even though I would have had a houseful, am going to have a houseful," he winked at Lisa. "Lou and Amy are so far apart, they didn't have that closeness. You know I was really close to June, and yeah," he nodded with a smile, "not that we planned any of this, but they will be close, and you know what," he looked at her. Lisa shook her head at him, and Jack kissed her hand again, "I have to say, I want a healthy baby, but I really want another little girl. I'm really good with girls, and you gave me one that is an angel. I love looking at her and seeing you. I'd be pretty happy with that."
She frowned, "What if it's a boy?"
"Oh," he chuckled, "I'm not going to turn out a boy," he winked. That had Lisa chuckle. "I guess I don't know what to do with boys, I mean, sure I do. It's just that I've not had any around here. Seems foreign. My dad and I weren't close, and I wouldn't want that to be the same."
Lisa shifted more toward Jack and put her hand on his unshaven face, "You are a wonderful dad already, and girl or boy, this baby will love you. You are not your dad, and I have to say," she eyed him, "I think it's a boy. Nothing else would explain the complete opposite pregnancy reactions right now."
"Okay," he gave her a nod and a wink, "I think it's a girl."
"Care to wager?"
"What are we betting on? When do we even find out?"
"Oh, next week," she smirked. "Your wife is that stupid that we skipped the early weeks and go right to surprise-you're having a baby whatever."
"Next week," he said with a slight grin. He gestured at her, "Do I get to tag along and find out?"
Lisa laughed, "This time," she winked. "Next time," she burst out laughing, but quickly schooled her features and pointed at him. "Seriously, that vasectomy before I even get close to delivering. I'm not doing this again, and the older I get, the more risk."
"I promise," Jack held up his hand in defense. "I am not going to risk you, Lise. My pride, well," he winked, "hard to argue needing a vasectomy when at my age, I knocked up my wife twice in less than a year."
"Oh, stop," she groaned. "Please don't say that. It sounds almost crude."
"Well," he leaned toward her nuzzling her ear, "what then? Are we going with me just being a stud? You do stud horses well." Lisa smacked at him again, laughing.
"I don't know, but not the knocked-up term, not studding, not virile. Let's just say we have been given two miracles, and we are very humbled by that."
"Okay," he said, his head still nuzzling her neck. He kissed her and then sat back in his seat and waved his hand. "I guess we need to go somewhere. Hungry?"
"Actually not," she made a face.
Jack eyed her and gestured down the road in the direction of Fairfield, "How about we go to Fairfield. We told Marion we were going there."
"Fine, I guess we can head to the house and maybe sit down, have a cup of tea?"
Jack nodded, "That would be fine, but, of course," he pulled her hand and kissed it again, "this stud has other ideas. I mean, seems silly not to take advantage of an empty house, a gorgeous master bedroom-I'd say we should enjoy our news, celebrate. Besides," he winked at her, "can't get you pregnant when you already are."
Lisa laughed and then groaned, nodding. She eyed him and pursed her lips, "We still haven't agreed on the terms of our bet."
Jack considered that and nodded, "How about the loser has to tell Marion first?"
"Ohhh," Lisa hissed. "That's brutal, but you really think we can reign in this news for a week?"
"I can," he winked and nodded. "You?"
"Oh, I sat on this news last time, so I can do that, but Marion? Oh, she's going to be awful with this news."
"I know," Jack grinned, putting the car into gear, "which is why it's the perfect bet. I won't have to tell her."
"I don't know," Lisa hissed again, looking at Jack as he drove toward Fairfield.
"I see how it is, unsure of the gender-"
"Oh, it's a boy-"
"Says the woman who didn't even know she was four months pregnant-"
"Stop!" Lisa swatted at him. "You know, we don't have to do anything at Fairfield."
"Says the woman who practically pulled me on top of her at the back of the car," he hooked his hand over his shoulder, eyeing her. "How are those hormones? It is the second trimester, and I remember we seemed to enjoy that last time."
"Hard to forget when it was just a few months ago, but," she made a face, looking to him, "you are old and forgetful. Gosh, in a way, I should be able to keep my office. With your age and moving you off to the nursing home, there should be plenty of room for the baby."
Jack smirked at Lisa, "Her name is not going to be Poppy again, that's for sure."
"No," Lisa burst out laughing. "Sorry, but I hope you weren't hoping for a junior. I'm not big on that. I like babies to have their own names."
"Agree on that, but not an issue with this little girl. Maybe another N name to go with Nora, two sweet little girls who look just like their beautiful mom."
Lisa grimaced, "Lost my eyesight with Nora's pregnancy, now needing stupid reading glasses. Not sure what I want to imagine going this time around. Getting old isn't fun."
"Tell me about it," Jack shrugged. "Although, happy to report, as you say about some of your older horses-might be old, but they sure can stud."
"Stop!" Lisa dropped her head, laughing. "I can't believe you are comparing this to my horse business."
"Hard not to," Jack shrugged with a grin. "Course, I appreciate you taking a chance on this old stud before you put him out to pasture. Knew you had a heart of gold in there," he winked, and Lisa just groaned, shaking her head.
"Gosh, this is going to rock our world. All of my work travel, my business-"
Jack pulled her hand into his and squeezed it. Lisa glanced at him, and he nodded at her, "We will figure it out together. Now," he waved his hand as they turned into Fairfield. "Stable or house?"
Lisa looked at him with a horrified expression, "Umm house. I don't know what kind of studding you think we'd be getting up to at the stable, but as you did point out, we should enjoy our afternoon and celebrate," she smiled sweetly. "We're going to be parents again, at 68 and 43," she laughed, covering her mouth, "and absolutely exhausted, crazy, and just about as happy as I could ever imagine."
Jack put the car in park and looked over at her. The car was silent, and the two just smiled at one another. Jack moved his hand to her stomach and cupped it, nodding at Lisa, even pushing her shirt out of the way so his bare hand was on her bare stomach.
"I can't tell you what kind of pride I feel with my baby growing inside you," he said softly, giving her a nod. "I'm really in awe. I love you so much."
"I love you too," she smiled with tears in her eyes as she put her hand on his and gripped it. "Come on you old stud," she winked at him, "let's celebrate what we've created once again and then go home to our beautiful baby girl."